10 most likely picks for Steelers first round of the 2021 NFL Draft
Najee Harris RB, Alabama
Chance drafted by Steelers: 18%
Face it, the Steelers, for at least half of the season in 2020, had a non-existent running game. The lack of a running game hurt their chances for success going into the postseason. They became a one-dimensional offense. So it makes sense the Steelers should opt to bolster their running game by taking a running back in the first round. In nearly 20% of mock drafts, Harris gets the nod as the Steelers’ first-round selection.
He has likable attributes, he has a complete game, he’s athletic, instinctive, and plays hard every down. Another bonus is Harris has good pass-catching ability. His negative is he is not a speedster, plus he lacks that burst like Le’veon Bell had. Probably more of a straight-on runner, not one known to string a lot of moves together. Despite that, it beats anything any of the Steelers running backs did all season. Compared to Etienne, he seems the clear first-round talent in this years draft.
If the Steelers’ plan is to revitalize their running game, Harris seems the perfect option to do just that. That said, there is still an approximate 23% chance he goes before the 24th pick. Meaning someone could snag him before they are on the clock. Thus they have two options, hope Etienne is available or unexpectedly trade up to draft him. Barring that, then perhaps they settle for one of the other options on the list.
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It will be interesting as the draft progresses. The first four to five selections are nearly a forgone conclusion barring an unexpected selection. In which perhaps a higher ranked player unexpectedly drops that’s too good for Pittsburgh to pass up. However, If everything proceeds as expected, then the Steelers draft one of these ten players. Not that they are players they should draft, nor an argument that they are the best improvement for the Steelers on the whole. But they are the most likely first-round talent to remain as available options when the Steelers select.